ARBROATH VICS v MONTROSE ROSELEA

DJ LAING LEAGUE CUP SECTION

SAT 18^th August 2012 

Roselea travelled to Ogilvy Park Arbroath to face near rivals Arbroath Vics in their second sectional League Cup match. It was a confident squad who travelled following their convincing 7-0 win over Forfar Albion the previous week. Calum Watson who was carrying an injury dropped out and an ideal replacement in James Collier returned from suspension. Colin Kennedy missed out through work commitments and Joe Aitken was with Brechin Vics on loan. With both goalkeepers Ross Mcleod and Ronnie Massie unavailable a Trialist keeper was brought in.  

Ogilvy Park was looking in top condition and the warm afternoon meant it was going to be hard going for both teams. 

Roselea: Trialist, P Taylor, R Taylor, Reoch, Whyte, Urquhart, Rae, Anderson, Ross, Collier & Cruickshank. Subs: Allan, Milne, Riach, Fletcher & Brand.

Roselea had first glimpse of goal in 2 minutes when Rae tried his luck from distance, trying to catch the Vics keeper Hutcheson off his line but he shot wide. Shortly after Ryan Taylor took off up the line and his dangerous cross was headed behind for a corner under pressure from Collier. 

Arbroath Vics were looking dangerous on the break as Roselea camped in their half during the opening 10 minutes and it was on one of these breaks Vics took the lead. Ex Roselea man Simpson made a great run into the box and after evading a tackle the ball broke kindly back to him and he squared for WALKER to score from close range. 

This shocked Roselea and spurred them on and created a chance a minute later. Cruickshank found Anderson who then played a one-two with Ross before being crudely brought down on the edge of the box. He took the kick himself from 18 yards but shot tamely wide without troubling Hutcheson. 

Another ex Roselea man Craig Watson was showing glimpses of his goal prowess and Reoch had to be sharp to catch him with a sliding tackle in the 15^th minute when he looked like he had broke away. 

In the 16^th minute Florence of Vics was very lucky to escape a booking or perhaps worse when he was pulled up for a challenge on Collier as he broke away. This time Ross took the free kick from 22 yards out and although his shot was on target it lacked enough venom to trouble the keeper. 

Roselea were in control but still looking for a way into the game. Ryan Taylor and Cruickshank combined well and won a corner which they played short and Collier found himself in space and his header was well saved by Hutcheson.

Watson broke again for Vics in 19 minutes and the Trialist keeper redeemed himself after by being slow to come off his line and managed to beat the ball away from the big striker. 

Roselea finally drew level in 25 minutes with a great goal that their play deserved. It was Roselea’s turn to break with Anderson picking up a lose ball and passed to Urquhart who in turn spotted CRUICKSHANK who had made a great cross-field run and after steadying himself sent an unstoppable right footed shot into the top left hand corner which hit the stantion before settling into the net. 

Play was getting bogged down with some slack passing and tackles cutting out any creativity.

It wasn’t until the 37^th minute that Vics Walker tried a 30 yard shot which was well wide. 

Anderson should have put Roselea ahead in the 40^th minute when Collier knocked a Cruickshank cross back across the 6 yard box and his diving header went over the bar with Hutcheson beaten. Roselea had two more half chances before the half was out. Danny Ross had a snapshot which hit the side netting then Ryan Taylor went on a long run and was foiled as he was about to shoot in the box. 

Half Time: Arbroath Vics 1 Roselea 1

Roselea came out with the correct attitude at the start of the second half. Anderson drove forward and connected well with Ross however his return pass was just over hit and the ball ran through to Hutcheson. 

Roselea had a strong appeal for a penalty as Ross broke into the box in 53 minutes. Florence appeared to pull at Ross then tripped him as he wriggled away from his marker but referee Reekie did not share the same view. 

Arbroath Vics were also after the win to get their League Cup challenge into gear following their draw in the opening day. In 55 minutes Warren broke down the left and sent in a very dangerous cross which Whyte cleared with Watson sliding in. The striker was injured in the challenge and was able to resume after some treatment. 

Cruickshank was next to try his luck for the visitors this time and his 30 yard snapshot was not far away. Allan replaced Paul Taylor in the 63 minute just after the full back picked up a caution for a late tackle. 

Danny Ross latched on to a ball in the box in the 65^th minute but just as he was to cut the ball across to Collier he slipped and the ball ballooned over the bar with the chance gone. 

Three minutes later Walker of Arbroath Vics sent a ball flashing across the face of the Lea goal with no takers. After dominating the first half Roselea were now sharing the honours in the second with the home team. 

Allan received a great cross-field pass from Cruickshank in 72 minutes and his cross was volleyed over by Urquhart who should really have done better. Roselea were now pressing and Collier hit a great shot which took a deflection in 75 minutes and Hutcheson pulled off a great safe to turn it behind for a corner. 

Fletcher replaced Urquhart in 80 minutes and the change almost paid dividends when he got on the end of a Collier flick on but dragged his shot wide of the post. 

Disaster struck for Roselea in the 81^st minute as so happens to a team on top that cant turn the advantage into goals. Whyte appeared to be fouled going for a header and in turn brought down Warren. Warren sent in a great ball and STURROCK scored with a great diving header to send the Vics support into raptures.  

Roselea thought they had the equaliser in the 85^th minute after some good play Collier turned his marker in the box and struck a shot which hit the post. 

Craig Watson was lucky to stay on the field after a blatant kick at Reoch who was on the ground. Referee Reekie was perhaps unsighted and realising something had happened took the safe option and showed a yellow card.

Roselea piled on the pressure and won a free kick 25 yards out. Whyte hit a screaming shot which was goalbound before Durno stuck out a leg and deflected the ball behind for a corner. Roselea continued to probe at the Vics defence and Collier went close with a header. 

There was still time for Watson to get the red card he should have perhaps had minutes earlier when he was shown a straight red for another bad tackle on Reoch. 

Full Time Arbroath Vics 2 Montrose Roselea 1

With Arbroath Vics meeting Forfar Albion who shed 13 goals today it is highly unlikely that Roselea will be making the Semi Finals so it may allow Ralph Brand to shuffle his side around at Blairgowrie next week.

Roselea have today agreed to Joe Aitken joining Brechin Vics on loan until he sees how his move to University in Edinburgh pans out.

MONTROSE ROSELEA v FORFAR ALBION

DJ LAING CUP SECTION

SAT AUGUST 11^th 2012 

Roselea finally made a return to competitive action after a break of four months which is the longest known in recent history. New signings Calum Watson, Graeme Allan, Danny Ross, Michael Cruickshank and Chris Milne bolstered the squad which also saw five players depart from last season. Broomfield Park was in excellent condition for the match. A win was a must in a Group including Arbroath Vics and Blairgowrie who would both be faced away from home in the coming Saturdays. A very promising pre season gave optimism that Roselea could be a contender in all competition this season. 

Roselea: Mcleod, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Urquhart, Rae, Anderson, Cruickshank, Watson & Aitken. Subs:  Kennedy, Allan, Milne, Ross, & Riach. 

It was a perfect day for football at Broomfield with a gentle breeze and close conditions. The pitch was in great condition thanks to the work of the Roselea groundstaff over the summer. 

Roselea got off to a dream start with a goal within 90 seconds. A Cruickshank free kick was headed by Paul Whyte goalwards and keeper Cargill palmed the ball onto the bar and back off into the direction of Calum WATSON who had the simple task of heading home from a yard. This was the result of a well-rehearsed move. 

Roselea were carrying on the form showed in the pre season and Urquhart should have got more on a header before Cruickshank flashed a shot across the bows of the keeper all within the first five minutes. In 8 minutes Watson had another chance when he had an overhead kick saved by Cargill after Urquhart had headed back another Cruickshank cross. 

Roselea were well on top but it was a spell of pressure from Albion that led to the second goal in 19 minutes. A poor Albion cross led to Calum Watson picking up the ball in his half before playing a delightful diagonal ball to CRUICKSHANK who after a poor first touch managed to compose himself before shooting through the legs of Cargill from 16 yards. 

There was a controversial moment in 24 minutes when Cruickshank weaved his way along the by-line and cut back to Anderson to shoot however play was pulled back for a foul on the winger much to Roselea’s dismay. 

A couple of minutes later Reynolds of Albion was carried off after he jarred his knee in a collision. It was later discovered he has damaged ligaments and will be out of action for some time. 

In 31 minutes Roselea’s dominance continued and a third goal was scored by URQUHART. Winger Cruickshank was having a great debut and yet another cross was headed at the far post back across the body of Cargill and into the net. Urquhart had another header saved in 34 minutes when Aitken flicked on a Cruickshank cross and this time Cargill saved well. 

Just before half time Roselea made it four when some slack marking from a corner saw the ball break to URQUHART who poked home his second from close range. 

As the teams left the field tensions between Albion keeper Cargill and central defender Paton which had been simmering during the half boiled over and the match referee was left with no option but to show both players red cards much to the annoyance of their team mates. 

Half Time: Roselea 4 Albion 0  

Roselea made two changes at half time with Ross and Riach replacing strikers Aitken and Watson. Playing against 9 men Roselea were always going to have the bulk of the ball but a resilient Albion were making things difficult for them.

The first breakthrough came in 55 minutes when Urquhart was tugged as he shot and a penalty awarded. Urquhart was given the ball to give him a hatrick but sentiment was proved to be wrong when he blasted the kick high over the bar. 

In 62 minutes Ross had a snap shot saved after he hit a Paul Whyte chest down goalbound and from the corner Whyte then had a header saved. ROSS did get his debut goal in the 62^nd minute when he showed calmness and good footwork to work an opening and shot home from 12 yards with his left foot. 

Graeme Allan replaced Paul Taylor 73 minutes.

In 77 minutes a brilliant dipping cross was met by a diving header from Whyte who was desperate to score but his normally reliable head missed the target. It would have been a great goal considering the power it was met with. 

Roselea finally broke the Albion fight with a great goal in 81 minutes. Urquhart met the bye line and sent over a cross which RIACH met with a diving header at the near post. 

RIACH doubled his tally in the final minute with a second headed goal to complete the scoring. 

Final Score: Montrose Roselea 7 Forfar Albion 0 

This was the start and result Roselea were looking for however the bizarre sending off at half time ended the game as a contest and as always it is difficult to play against 9 men. With Arbroath Vics and Blairgowrie drawing in the other section match it gives Roselea the early advantage in the Group. There were some good debuts with Michael Cruickshank getting some great crosses in and was the pick of the bunch. Match & Ball Sponsor was Anne Reoch & Friends 

Roselea now travel to Ogilvy Park Arbroath on Satuday 18^th to face Arbroath Vics who will be wanting to claim their own chances with a win. This match kicks off at 2.30pm. Roselea’s final Section match is also away and is against Blairgowrie on Sat Aug 25^th.                  

MONTROSE ROSELEA v DUNDEE VIOLET

McBOOKIE.COM NORTH DIVISION

SAT APRIL 14^th 2012 

Roselea entertained champions elect Violet in their final game of the 2011-12 season. Roselea found themselves in a similar position to that of Rangers recently when only a win would prevent the visitors only requiring a point to seal the Title however with a far superior goal difference and two games remaining the mathematical calculations would not come into play.

This would also be Roselea’s earliest finish to a season for many years with a combination of an 11 team league, kind winter and early cup knock outs. Roselea continued with the side who had finished against East Craigie with Ross Colquhoun returning and only the injured Calum Rae and on loan players absent. 

On a sunny day the bitterly cold north wind was biting as it blew down Broomfield and came from an uncustomary direction. 

Roselea: Massie, P Taylor, R Taylor, Whyte, Reoch, Urquhart, Anderson, Mustard, Webster, Collier, Fletcher. Subs Aitken, Strachan, Kennedy, Colquhoun, Brand & Craig.

Violet are looking to make sure they clinch the Title and early on Pirie looks hungry as he forces a corner. Violet take the lead in 7 minutes with a well executed free kick. Urquhart is penalised for a hand ball and Sean ANDERSON stepped up to send a beautiful curling free kick from 25 yards over the wall and into the corner with Mcleod almost getting there. 

In 12 minutes Kevin Webster sent in a great free kick which Paul Whyte almost got a foot to at the far post. Two minutes later Fletcher sent Urquhart away on a Roselea break but he wanted an extra touch when he should have been looking to hit with the wind at his back and over ran the ball. I

In 16 minutes Thomson of Violet had a crude challenge on Collier from behind and avoided a yellow card. Webster floated in another curling ball which was misjudged by Stewart in the Violet goal and he had to tip behind for a corner.  

Violets Pirie went close with a header at the far post in 22 minutes just failing to reach the ball and it went wide. 

In 25 minutes Ryan Taylor was booked for dissent after another challenge on Collier went unpunished. Urquhart then gave away a foul and this time Mcleod held Andersons free kick but caused some panic when he dropped the ball before it was cleared by a Lea defender. 

Violet are still looking the sharper team with some good movement but Roselea are not out of it by any means. 

Urquhart plays a nice one two with Anderson and he drives forward in 36 minutes before shooting wide of the target when he should have been testing the keeper. Roselea were awarded a free kick in 40 minutes for yet another foul on Collier. Webster manages to negotiate the Violet wall in front of him but his shot lacks the punch needed to test Stewart more fully.

A minute later Roselea have their best chance of the half when Collier received the ball from Webster crossfield, springing the offside trap and Reynolds just managed to get a touch on the shot delfecting it just over the bar for a corner. 

Disaster for Roselea in 42 minutes when they conceded a second goal. The ever dangerous Pirie got to the bye-line and crossed to the middle of the goalmouth before a deflection took the ball onto the head of the brave McCONNACHIE who stuck his head where the boots were flying and made sure from close range. Just before the half time whistle Mcleod had to dive at the feet of Grant and the ball was diverted for a corner. 

Half Time: Roselea 0 Violet 1

The second half starts with little action however there were numerous tackles and booking for dissent as the referee struggled to control matters. Things did boil over in the 60^th minute but it was not due to a tussle between the teams. Paul Taylor who had previously been booked gave a away a foul on the touchline which was neither dangerous nor worthy of anything else than the foul it was. To the amazement of the player the referee showed him a second yellow card then paused for a moment and realised it was his second and showed him the red. James Collier, frustrated at the referee was then also shown a straight red card for dissent. This effectively ended the contest. 

The remainder of the match was broken up with almost every man in green shown a yellow card as their frustrations continued. 

Roselea made a double substitution in 65 minutes when Kennedy & Strachan replaced Webster and Ryan Taylor. Roselea make their final change in 76 minutes when Colquhoun replaced Craig Anderson.  

Fletcher wriggled his away along the bye-line twisting and turning before hitting a left foot shot which raised penalty claims from the Roselea players before a corner was awarded. 

In 78 minutes Roselea were awarded a puzzling indirect free kick inside the Violet box for what was thought to be dangerous play. With the ball on the penalty spot and the Violet players practically on the six yard box it took several attempts by the referee to get the kick to be taken. Eventually Kennedy managed to tap the ball to COLQUHOUN and he blasted home from 10 yards with the Violet players almost at the ball when he hit it.

Roselea continued to battle away with their 9 men but couldn’t break down the Violet. They did have the ball in the next right on time but the referee awarded a free kick for a push when Stewart ended up in the net with the ball. 

Full Time: Montrose Roselea 1 Dundee Violet

Nobody could begrudge Violet their win on the day which allowed them to celebrate winning the Title they deserved however it was a day of frustration for the home team. From the off the referee had some strange decisions which infuriated. The sending off of Paul Taylor was very harsh and should have ended the game as a contest although the 9 men battled on bravely. Roselea will now have the longest break in many years and the young team and Management will have time to reflect on the season and see what they need to do to advance to a higher plain. They have done exceptionally well to compete to the end with a side which has been put together at a big cost and have bags of experience. 

Roselea would like to thank all their Sponsors over the season and hope to see them all back again in the future.